Dietitian Pay

Rochester vs Shakopee: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Rochester, MN and Shakopee, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rochester, MN
$83,463
$40.13/hr
Shakopee, MN
$75,731
$36.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, MNShakopee, MN
Median Salary$83,463$75,731
Hourly Rate$40.13$36.41
Entry Level (P10)$66,652$53,068
25th Percentile$69,904$65,292
75th Percentile$96,076$85,768
Top Earner (P90)$100,160$96,806
Total Employed12011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($83,463) and Shakopee ($75,731) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.RochesterShakopeeMedian Salary$83,463$75,731Entry Level (P10)$66,652$53,068Top Earner (P90)$100,160$96,806US Median $79,380

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shakopee.

The salary gap between Rochester and Shakopee is $7,732 (10.21%). Rochester's median is +5.14% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $33,508,Shakopee spans $43,738. Shakopee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$66,652
P25$69,904
Median$83,463
P75$96,076
P90 (Top)$100,160
Shakopee
P10 (Entry)$53,068
P25$65,292
Median$75,731
P75$85,768
P90 (Top)$96,806

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($91,898 effective) pays 19.53% more than Shakopee ($76,884 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $83,463
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $91,898
Shakopee
Nominal: $75,731
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $76,884

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,463/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,160)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,898)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Shakopee if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Rochester grew 27.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.1% growth in Shakopee over the same period.

Rochester, MN

+27.1%

$63,220 (2019) → $80,330 (2025)

Shakopee, MN

+6.1%

$68,691 (2024) → $72,888 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Rochester or Shakopee?

Rochester has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $83,463/year, compared to Shakopee at $75,731/year — a difference of $7,732 (10.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Shakopee?

Rochester dietitian and nutritionists earn $40.13/hr while Shakopee hygienists earn $36.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rochester to Shakopee as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Shakopee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $91,898, Shakopee = $76,884), job availability (120 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Rochester vs Shakopee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $66,652 in Rochester and $53,068 in Shakopee. The Rochester area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MS, RD

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a nutrition consultant. She specializes in sports nutrition. Aisha works with professional athletes and teams.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Gomez, RDNData verified by Emily Chen, MS, RDN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.90% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MS, RD, a licensed dietitian and nutritionist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov